How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the plentiful daylight it lets in and the easy access it offers to your outdoor living space. These entryways are desirable elements of any St. Louis residence, but also come with safety risks. Discover why they’re targeted by theives and what you should do to prevent unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are often targeted in St. Louis

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also enticing to thieves. There are a couple of simple reasons why. First and foremost, they are commonly made more for aesthetics than security. The majority don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locks are typically easy to manipulate. Burglars also have a a greater likelihood of approaching undetected as the doors are located at the rear of your house. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

When experiencing nice temperatures and lovely days, your sliding glass door could be the most-frequented entry at your house. You may fall into a habit of leaving it unlatched so kids can effortlessly enter and exit to the outdoor area. Even when you secure the door, burglars can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Many sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that housebreakers can unlock with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Thieves are more inclined to smash glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is not difficult to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals might try to force the door off of its track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or other equipment so they are able to slip through.

Despite the fact that it’s not difficult to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to boost your security. Discover what you might do.

Better protect your St. Louis home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to improve the security of one of the most susceptible doors in your St. Louis house, here’s how you can.

• Install video cameras. When prospective intruders spot cameras, they’ll probably try to locate an easier target. They won’t want to be caught on camera. You can even find surveillance systems that actively scare off prowlers with lights and sound.
• Integrate entrypoint sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will sound if an unwanted visitor starts to intrude or break the glass. Advanced systems will also notify you with updates to your home security mobile app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your basic flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular options and straightforward to secure. You might also get a sturdy, key-turned deadbolt.
• Incorporate a door brace. A security bar or brace is a traditional approach that brings an additional layer to your protection. These are traditionally solid wood or metal reinforcements fitted within the lower door track. Make certain it’s designed properly for a snug fit.

Open the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in St. Louis

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a comprehensive smart home in St. Louis from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from surveillance cameras to window and door sensors. If a device trips, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be alerted right away. Reach out to (314) 866-4556 today to find out more and arrange your professional installation.